Soweto woman honours her father’s legacy by running to raise money for SADAG

33-year-old Google video specialist, Zanele Hlatshwayo has pledged to run 18 races to honour her father and raise money for a cause close to her heart.

At the age of 24, Zanele was confronted with the fact that her hero and mentor had taken his own life, leaving her with several unanswered questions.

“My father was my hero. He was the man who was there for me every step of the way. He never missed a parents meeting, prize giving or any graduation ceremony. He taught me that I can be whoever I want to be and that all my goals are possible. He never missed an opportunity to encourage me. He was there every step of the way until he took his life on that fatal morning.”

She began running, as a way to clear her mind and find comfort. And now, nearly ten years later, Zanele is pledging to run 18 races across South Africa, between January and July 2018.

She says, “I couldn’t understand why my father had to leave me. I was angry, broken and ashamed that the strongest man I’ve ever known took his own life. I kept asking myself what was he thinking.

At first I was running away from my pain, but eventually, running became a coping mechanism for me. Now running has become my sacred space where I get to heal, clear my head, but most of all where I get to conquer.”

In order to honour her father, Phillip Hlatshwayo, and to raise funds for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), Zanele has set up a campaign on BackaBuddy.

She has already completed seven races and has the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon coming up.

Zanele says, “I have decided to Rise and raise awareness about depression and suicide: silent killers that are scourging our beautiful country. I want to demystify mental illness and create a dialogue so that people no longer have to suffer for silence. If my BackaBuddy campaign saves one life, my purpose on this earth would have been fulfilled.”

According to SADAG, there are 23 recorded suicides and 230 attempted suicides in South Africa every day. These harrowing statistics show just how important awareness and support for depression and anxiety are.

The money Zanele raises will assist SADAG with the running of the only national suicide toll-free hotline in South Africa.

“With the economic stress and financial pressures that a lot of South Africans are experiencing‚ we are seeing more callers phoning for help,” says Cassey Chambers, SADAG’s Operations Director.

Zanele is aiming to raise R180 000 through BackaBuddy by running 18 races. To support her campaign and help raise funds and awareness, click the BackaBuddy link here.